When you look at the calendar and it says 'July', you've left it late to start growing traditional photoperiod cannabis strains outdoors. It's still doable, but you're arguably cutting it a bit fine. Then there's the climate - depending on where you are in the northern hemisphere, you may be headed for some inclement weather.
But what about Early/Fast cannabis strains? Typically, these strains have shorter flowering times, enough to knock a couple of weeks of the wait. So depending on your positioning and your climate, you'll likely still have time to raise some of these. If not, there's still autoflowers and indoor growing, so all is not exactly lost. But if you can, wouldn't choosing seeds be so much easier if you knew the best early/fast strains on Seedsman? Well, we thought so, too!
What Are 'Earlies'?
'Earlies' or 'early versions' are selectively bred to mature faster than traditional strains. In cannabis cultivation, these fast-flowering strains are ready for harvest before the end of September, often categorized as 'fasts', 'quicks', or 'semi-full-term'. These varieties, maturing ahead of their standard photoperiod counterparts, are particularly advantageous in northern climates to avoid wet seasons and provide extended harvest windows. For a more comprehensive overview of early/fast cannabis, check out this article. In the meantime, here's a quick summary of the benefits of these cunning cultivars:
Benefits of Early Varieties
For Outdoor Cultivation
- Extended Harvest Window: Early varieties enable multiple harvests within a season, maximizing growing periods and increasing yield.
- Pest Resistance: Harvesting before peak pest seasons reduces the risk of crop damage.
- Mold Avoidance: Early harvests in regions with high humidity help prevent late-season mold issues, protecting the crop.
Genetic Selection for Quick Maturation
The essence of early varieties lies in their genetics. Through selective breeding, traits of quicker maturation become dominant, resulting in stable early strains. This process often involves crossing autoflowering varieties with photoperiod strains. Fast flowering can also be achieved by selecting individual plants with naturally shorter flowering times, such as certain kush or skunk varieties.
Shortened Growth Cycle
Early varieties progress from germination to maturity more quickly than standard strains. For example, fast-flowering cannabis plants can mature in as little as six weeks compared to the 8-15 weeks typical of traditional indica or sativa plants. This shortened growth cycle is achieved by triggering the flowering process earlier than usual, leading to a quicker harvest.
Cannabinoid and Terpene Profiles
While early varieties generally maintain similar cannabinoid and terpene profiles to standard strains, some subtle differences may exist. Early varieties can sometimes offer unique taste, aroma, and effects, enhancing the sensory experience for consumers.
Economic Implications
For commercial growers, early varieties provide a competitive edge by supplying fresh flowers to the market earlier, potentially commanding better prices. Multiple harvests in a season also lead to increased yields and profitability.
Adaptability to Climate and Soil
Early varieties often exhibit added adaptability to various climates and soil types. Some strains may be more resistant to specific diseases or tolerant of different environmental conditions, providing an additional layer of security for growers.
Conclusion
Fast-flowering cannabis varieties offer numerous advantages, from extended harvest periods and pest resistance to energy savings and rapid returns on investment. By understanding and selecting the right genetics, growers can optimize their operations for both indoor and outdoor cultivation, ensuring high-quality yields and economic benefits - without a notable compromise on returns.
The Best Early/Fast Cannabis Strains on Seedsman
If all of this has clinched it for you, here's some of our favorite Early/Fast strains to choose from. You'll find a variety of top-quality cannabis here, finishing faster, and without having to compromise on yields.
Purple Punch F1 Fast
F1 genetics exhibit enhanced growth, strength, and productivity compared to their parent strains. F1 hybrids tend to grow faster, yield more, and demonstrate increased resilience to environmental stressors. In addition, they offer an increase in desired traits such as high cannabinoid content, unique terpene profiles, or improved flavor and aroma. As a result, F1 strains can offer superior quality and a more enjoyable consumption experience.
Purple Punch F1 Fast is a vigorous, infica-dominant hybrid bred by crossing Purple Punch, a hybrid of the infamous Grandaddy Purple and Larry OG, with GMO Cookies x Legend OG. Those incredible Cali genetics come together in an incredible new fast-flowering photoperiod strain that is ripe with desirable traits.
Those F1 benefits are on full display here; Purple Punch F1 Fast thrives in hot, warm, dry, and humid climates, with superb mold resistance making it a top pick for cultivators. Flowering time is in the 7-9 week range, and come harvest, you'll be well rewarded. Outdoor yields are typically between 45-750gm/plant, and those bountiful buds pack a lab-verified 27% THC content. Purple Punch F1 Fast's glorious terpene profile results in a flavor that is fruity and Diesel-like, with a sweet and creamy finish that keeps you coming back for more. The high potency indica nature of Purple Punch F1 Fast makes for a incredible relaxing effect.
Blueberry Pie F1 Fast
There's nothing quite like relaxing on the porch on a late-summer's evening with some Blueberry Pie. Seedsman Blueberry Pie F1 Fast is an intense indica-dominant hybrid that brings incredible fruity flavors to the fore, and a creaminess that's so heavenly, you'd swear it came straight from grandma's kitchen.
It's a delight to grow, too; high levels of mold resistance make this a perfect strain for outdoor growing; this is a resilient cannabis strain that handles heat and humidity with a degree of ease on its way to a harvest that will net you betweenm 450-750gm/plant. Growth is good and vigorous, and those buds positively drip with resin, making this an excellent strain for makers of extracts and concentrates. With THC content between 20-25%, the effects are well-balanced and pleasantly relaxing, while the flavor is fruity and sublime.
Gorilla Gas F1 Fast
If sativa-leaning hybrids are more up your alley, Gorilla Gas F1 Fast begs your attention. An intriguing cross of Gorilla Glue with a Cali Cross featuring GMO Cookies and Legend OG, this beautiful early finisher disaplys the insane sticky resin of its Glue parent, and a nice, easily manageable growth structure. The sativa nature of the genetics means a much taller plant, around 200cm, but you can rest assure by the high level of mold resistance that it'll do its thing without that common late-season headache.
This girl certainly doesn't hang about, either. Flowering in around 7-9 weeks, you can brace yourself for some top-quality buds come harvest time. Yields are high, with a 450-750gm/plant harvest likely after what is typically a pleasant growing experience thanks to those resilient F1 genetics. Gorilla Gas F1 Fast is highly aromatic strain featuring spicy chocolate,scents with notes of Diesel, Skunk, and pine, so take care around odor control if needs dictate. Potency-wise, you'll find GGF1Fast packing a solid 23% THC content, and an array of plesant effects as your reward come grow's end.
Tangerine Snow F1 Fast
The name alone implies a sensational fruit-laden experience, and the end product delivers exactly that. Tangerine Snow F1 Fast is a terpene-heavy sativa-dominant strain that flowers in 8-10 weeks, but is well protected by a great resistance to mold, pests, and diseases. This is a resinous strain that can be used to produce wonderful hash.
Tangerine Snow F1's sativa leanings make it a taller plant, but outdoor cultivation can still see you reap up to 750gm/plant of fairly dense buds come harvest time. Those sativa effects come straight off the back of some wonderful juicy, fruity, citrus flavors that will make your mouth water. This is an uplifting and invigorating experience that'll keep the summery vibes going, even when autumn rolls around.
Blue Dream Fast
Without question, Blue Dream remains one of the most in-demand cannabis strains thanks to its uplifting sativa effects, and irresistible sweet flavors of citrus and berries. With a flowering time of 7-9 weeks, Blue Dream Fast was designed to ensure a speedier finish without compromising on yield or potency. Come harvest time, this speedster can see you make off with as much as 750gm/plant to keep those stash jars brimming.
It's fairly easy to grow and offers a reassuring degre of mold resistance, just the thing for a later project, but it's a taller plant that can reach heights of 250cm. That said, those great harvests are worth the effort. Buds are packed with the sweet, fruity flavors Blue Dream fans know and love, and those powerful, uplifting cerebral effects will put smiles on faces. THC content is typically between 18-20%.
White Widow Fast
If you're a cannabis lover of some experience, the name White Widow needs no introduction. A true legend of the Dutch coffee shop scene, White Widow announced its arrival in style, winning a Cannabis Cup and blowing people out of their socks in the process. Still one of the most beloved strains of all time, White Widow seeds remain on many a shopping list. Well, White Widow Fast bears all the hallmarks of the much-loved original, but with a flowering time of 6-8 weeks, you can bring forward that harvest by a bit and get baked all the earlier.
White Widow is a strain that has never compromised, and the Fast version is the same. Yields of up to 750gm/plant, THC content between 16-24%, and all the sparkling white resin coverage you dream of, prove that this legendary one-hitter takes no prisoners, even in its faster-flowering form. It thrives in a variety of climates, packs the trademark spicy, earthy taste, and the huge uplifting effects are very much present and correct.
Jack Herer Fast
One of the most famous figures in cannabis history, you can't be a true student of cannabis if you don't know Jack. This strain is named after the great cannabis activist, and we've made it available in a faster-flowering form that takes between 6-8 weeks to ripen those famous buds. Jack Herer Fast has great THC content of between 16-24%, superb outdoor yields of upto 750gm/plant, and all the fun of the fair when it comes to effects. Blissful, energetic, creative energy abounds, and that feel-good factor keeps the Jack Herer strain on many a wishlist.
Jack Herer Fast offers a great degree of resistance to mold, and performs well in a variety of climates - including cool, dry, hot, and even wetter conditions. With Jack Herer remaining the go-to strain for so many cannabis lovers worldwide, the fast-flowering version is a welcome addition, because why wait longer if you don't need to?
